DIY giant B&Q wants to build a warehouse store, with a drive-through restaurant, in Bath Road in Chippenham, creating up to 170 jobs.

Developer Parkridge Developments Ltd, of London, and Peter Black Distribution, has applied for outline planning permission on the much-debated site, opposite The Pheasant pub, on the outskirts of town.

The proposals came before Chippenham Town Council last Thursday, when councillors gave outline planning approval.

The scheme now goes before North Wiltshire District Council for approval.

The site is one of the remaining areas for major development in Chippenham, along with Flowers scrapyard, in Wood Lane, and Cocklebury Road.

In a development brief given to the district council, the main part of the B&Q store would be 61,500 sq ft, along with a 15,000 sq ft garden centre, and a car park with 300 spaces.

It said the store could open up 150 job opportunities.

The drive-through restaurant, less than a mile from McDonald's, would be 2,500 sq ft with 36 car parking spaces, creating up to 20 jobs.

A new junction would be created on Bath Road to reach the site, as well as a footpath and cycleway along the road.

In addition, the developer wants to market a 27,500 sq ft part of the site for industrial use.

The plans look set to draw criticism from town traders, with Homebase and Focus already occupying large DIY stores in Chippenham.

The Focus store is about half a mile from the proposed new B&Q.

Coun Chris Gale said he is worried about the knock-on effect on local businesses.

"What I fear is that this is another example, like we have seen with Sainsbury's and Safeway, taking people away from the centre of the town," he said.

"It would not be sustainable. It is an example of big stores opening up on the outskirts of a town, which can lead to the centre declining."

Coun Philip Allnatt said councillors needed to keep a close eye on the development.

"I think that we should say to the district council that we ask they look at the details very, very closely," he said .

"This is because of the impact on residents in Bath Road, and also to encourage the opportunities to enhance the environment as well as create jobs."

The site has been subject to a number of planning applications, including ideas for a multiplex cinema.

Coun Allnatt said it would be good to see something done with the land.

"It adds to the employment opportunities and the vitality of the town," he said

In a development brief to the district council, the developer said it has carried out assessments concerning the impact on traffic, retail, landscaping and drainage.

Redcliffe Homes Ltd wants to build 108 houses near Rowden Lane, about 100 yards from the B&Q proposal.

Coun Gale said, with this in mind, he was concerned about increased traffic.

Should it get the go-ahead a B&Q warehouse in Chippenham would be one of just 11 in the country, differing in makeup to the 260 super-centres that the company trades in elsewhere in the UK.